Mouraria is where the Moors were allowed to live after the Christian reconquest of Lisbon in 1147, before being expelled together with the Jews in 1497. Little survives from that period except for traces of the medieval wall, but this curiously remains the most multi-ethnic neighborhood in the city. The majority of the foreign population is from Bangladesh, followed by immigrants from China, India, Pakistan, and Mozambique. It's nonetheless a very authentically Lisbon neighborhood, known as the birthplace of Fado. It was here that the first great Fado singer lived in the 1800s, the legendary Severa who fell in love with a count and took the music of the people to the aristocracy. Other big names related to Fado have lived in the neighborhood, such as World Music star Mariza, who grew up on these streets before reaching the big stages of the world. It had become a very rundown neighborhood, but major renovations starting in 2009 have put it back on the map. It now attracts for its mini-"Chinatown," for the stalls on Martim Moniz Square serving foods from all over the world, and for the cleaned-up Intendente Square which hides one of the most beautiful tiled facades in the city. Another hidden treasure is the interior of the former Colégio dos Meninos Orfãos orphanage on Rua da Mouraria, now divided into several public services, but with a staircase covered with tile panels from the 1700s depicting passages from the Old and New Testaments. Also worth a look is the curious medieval house (one of the oldest in Lisbon) on Largo da Achada behind the Church of St. Christopher, with Gothic doors and windows. Next door is another up-and-coming neighborhood,Anjos, following Avenida Almirante Reis with its several notable Art Nouveau buildings. Up the hill you reach one of the least known lookout terraces, the Miradouro do Monte Agudo.
Top Neighborhood Attractions
1 | MERCADO DE FUSÃO »
Stalls in the middle of Martim Moniz Square offer foods from the various corners of the globe throughout the day.
2 | A VIDA PORTUGUESA »
The second "A Vida Portuguesa" shop is larger than the original in the Chiado district, and includes homeware, always authentically Portuguese.
3 | ROOFTOP BAR »
A rooftop for cocktails facing the castle and overlooking downtown.
4 | TOPO »
One of the trendy rooftop bars, looking out to the castle.
5 | VIÚVA LAMEGO »
One of the most beautiful tiled façades in the city.
6 | CERVEJARIA RAMIRO »
One of the city's most popular seafood restaurants became even more famous when Anthony Bourdain featured it on his show. There are now always lines out the door, with locals and tourists waiting for a table.
GETTING THERE : Metro: Martim Moniz Eléctrico (tram) 28 MAIN STREETS : Rua do Capelão Rua das Farinhas PARKING : Praça Martim Moniz